Nimba County, Liberia – Senator Thomas Yaya Nimely delivered a poignant and critical tribute to the late Senator Prince Yormie Johnson, reflecting on his life, political maneuvers, and controversial legacy.
Speaking during a memorial event in Nimba County, Nimely framed his tribute, titled “Time: Promised, Not Fulfilled,” as both an acknowledgment of Johnson’s contributions and a critique of the broken promises that defined his final years.
In his remarks, Nimely recounted a recurring ritual where Johnson sought his guidance late at night, often asking for advice on speeches and other pressing matters. “He would call me at 9 or 10 p.m. almost every night,” Nimely revealed, adding, “Every time he said, ‘Distinguished, what should I do?’ I gave him my honest opinion, and he always trusted me.” For Nimely, these late-night calls were more than routine—they were a window into Johnson’s struggles with his past and his hope for redemption.
Nimely highlighted Johnson’s transformation from a former warlord to a preacher and politician. “He spent 20 years preaching, asking for forgiveness, and seeking redemption,” Nimely said. “But the question remains: Did Liberia forgive him? Did we, as a nation, understand his quest for time to right his wrongs?” This quest for time, according to Nimely, shaped Johnson’s political alliances and decisions, including his pivotal roles in Liberia’s recent political history.
The tribute delved into Johnson’s ability to align himself with successive administrations. From campaigning for Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to supporting George Weah, Johnson’s political alliances were strategic, Nimely said, driven by a desire to stave off the establishment of a war crimes court. “He told me he was buying time, not for himself alone, but to serve his people and ensure his legacy was not marred by prosecution,” Nimely reflected.
Johnson’s influence was undeniable. He played a key role in Sirleaf’s election and later helped secure victory for Weah. Yet, Nimely argued that these alliances were built on fragile promises. “He believed these presidents would shield him from prosecution, but in the end, those assurances were not enough to quiet his fears,” Nimely said, referencing Johnson’s growing anxiety in his final years.
As Liberia’s political scene shifted, Johnson’s support wavered. Nimely recounted how Johnson distanced himself from Weah during the latter’s declining popularity and aligned with the Rescue Mission coalition. “He gave more to the Rescue Mission than he did for Sirleaf or Weah. He saw them as the future and hoped they would fulfill the promises others had not,” Nimely said.
Nimely also touched on Johnson’s fear of prosecution, which he said consumed the late senator in his later years. “He often called me, troubled, asking, ‘Will they prosecute me?’ And I would tell him, ‘No one will touch you.’ Yet, his fear persisted, fueled by the growing calls for accountability and justice.”
Despite Johnson’s contributions, Nimely acknowledged the difficulties of his legacy. He described Johnson as a polarizing figure whose efforts to reconcile with his past were often overshadowed by his controversial wartime actions. “Prince Johnson’s story is one of contradictions, a man who sought forgiveness but could not escape his past, a leader who campaigned for others but was haunted by unfulfilled promises,” Nimely stated.
The tribute also offered a broader reflection on Liberia’s post-war journey, particularly the lingering scars of the civil wars. Nimely criticized the lack of a comprehensive approach to justice and reconciliation, arguing that the absence of a war crimes court allowed unresolved tensions to fester. “Every hand in Liberia has a bloodstain,” Nimely said. “If we are to move forward, we must confront this truth and decide how to heal as a nation.”
Nimely’s tribute was both a eulogy and a call to action, urging Liberians to reflect on the complexities of forgiveness, justice, and accountability. He concluded by expressing his grief over Johnson’s passing. “He was my brother, my confidant, and a man who, despite his flaws, believed in redemption. His story reminds us of the challenges we face as a nation still grappling with its past,” Nimely said.
Senator Thomas Yaya Nimely’s tribute to Prince Johnson honored the late senator’s contributions and challenged Liberians to reckon with the more profound questions of forgiveness and justice. For Nimely, Johnson’s life was a microcosm of Liberia’s struggles, a nation seeking redemption while navigating the shadows of its history.
